Japan
Prevention
Rescue
Restoration
Evangelism
More than 3 billion people have never heard of Christ worldwide. The first part of ZOE’s mission is to reach as many people living without hope and in darkness with the life-transforming message of Je
The Problem
- Japan’s population is estimated to be less than 1% Christian. ZOE is determined to share the Gospel with everyone we meet. Many Japanese are open to Christ when they learn about God’s love. ZOE is member of Japan Evangelical Missionary Association (JEMA).
- There are sophisticated and organized commercial sexual exploitation networks that target vulnerable Japanese women and girls through many means including abduction, force, and coercion.
- Immigrants and foreigners often come to Japan for the purpose of work.
- A large portion of child trafficking in Japan involves older men purchasing sexual favors or companionship from young girls through money and/or luxury gifts.
- In the last decade, the Japanese government has recognized the problem of human trafficking in their country. The Japanese Network Against Trafficking in Persons (JNATIP), has been instrumental in their lobbying efforts to get policy changes made on the government level. In 2005, human trafficking was declared illegal in Japan!
Our Current Work in Japan
Our initial goal for ZOE Japan is to prevent human trafficking by educating churches, schools, and communities about the human trafficking problem in Japan. Prevention through education can help prevent potential tragedy to vulnerable at-risk national/international victims in Japan.
Prevention
Network
ZOE works alongside other NGOs in Japan to provide first responder help for victims of sexual exploitation. ZOE meets with survivors and connects them with appropriate legal and medical support. The ZOE team also visits and helps at a local children’s shelter.
Raising Awareness
The ZOE team speaks at different venues such as schools, churches, and clubs, etc. to teach kids and adults about the danger of human trafficking and how to prevent it. Education materials are made available on social media including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and blogs.
Prevention Rescue
ZOE Japan has a hotline number for children to call. Social media and online patrol and consultation for at-risk children is also available through LINE, Twitter, email, or by telephone. Night outreach/prayer walks are made to provide information/consultation for women and young girls on the streets.
Rescue
Collaboration and Advocacy
ZOE Japan is a member of JNATIP (Japan Network Against Trafficking in Persons). This network includes NGOs, lawyers and academics who collaborate to formulate effective laws to prevent trafficking in persons, provide victim relief, and punish perpetrators. As a JNATIP member, ZOE participates in meetings with the Japanese government on how to end trafficking in Japan.
Restoration
Emergency Shelter for Minors
ZOE has plans to expand our work in Japan to help restore survivors of child trafficking.
Evangelism
Evangelism
The mission of J.O.Y. Club (Jesus, Others, You) is to help the local Japanese church meet others in their community. Through partnering with the local church, J.O.Y. Club uses English classes for neighborhood children as a draw to provide a non-threatening way for individuals to step into a church setting on a regular basis. Many J.O.Y. Club students and their families are stepping into the local Japanese church for the very first time. This is especially exciting when you consider that Japanese Christians represent less than 1% of the population and the average Japanese church congregation is only 12 members strong. By developing strong, caring relationships, J.O.Y. Club teachers love these people into the kingdom while sharing the life changing Word of God.
Japan News
“I recognized that I was a victim of sextortion.”
March 21, 2022
A Survivor’s Story Kanako* is a typical teenager. She likes to hang out with friends and dreams about a steady boyfriend. She has been researching her options to go to a university in a few years. Whe
Child Trafficking in Japan
September 22, 2021
“As reported over the past five years, human traffickers subject Japanese and foreign men and women to forced labor and sex trafficking, and they subject Japanese children to sex trafficking” – U.S. D
ZOE Japan Brings Awareness to Tokyo Olympics
September 17, 2021
With UK nonprofit, It’s a Penalty, ZOE Japan worked on the frontlines of a large-scale human trafficking awareness campaign for the Tokyo Summer 2021 Olympics, held July 23rd through August 8th.  
To learn More about ZOE Japan Click Below
Our Japan Missionaries & Staff
Yuri Osborne
Staff
Hiromi Hataji
Staff
Joy Tani
Missionary
Daniel
Japan National Director / International Multimedia Producer
Annerie
Japan Assistant National Director / International Strategy Program Developer
